Autumn is here in all her glory; ignore winter’s approach and celebrate the crisp air and glowing colors with sausages and beer, Oktoberfest-style. The16-day festival originated in Munich and attracts 6 million people annually with beer, jollity and hearty eats. Among those eats are roast pork and chicken, and all manner of sausages; pretzels, sauerkraut, cabbage and potato pancakes. And did we mention lots and lots of beer? A plane ticket to Munich may cost a pretty penny, and lederhosen aren’t very flattering, but no worries: Oktoberfest has jumped the ocean and we can raise a jubilant mug right here in our neck of the woods. Here are some of the tastiest Oktoberfest-inspired delights in town. Prost!
A TASTE OF DEUTSCHLAND
The Bierstube Steakhouse and Grill
For a full-on Oktoberfest experience, the obvious destination is our local German restaurant, the Bierstube. Indulge in a kaleidoscope of German flavors with the Taste of Deutschland, a platter brimming with traditional dishes: sauerbraten; wiener schnitzel, schweine haxen, bratwurst and mettwurst. The distinctive sauerbraten, or sour roast, is made from beef marinated in vinegar; the perennial sausage favorite, bratwurst, is smoked beef laced with mild garlic. We especially love mettwurst, a spicy smoked beef sausage flecked with white pepper and mustard seed. Classic side dishes include red cabbage, sauerkraut and homemade spätzle, tender dumplings made from egg, flour and salt. It’s a hefty order, enough for two to share or an appetizer platter for the entire table. Check the restaurant’s Facebook page for special Oktoberfest deals and events. $22; $2 off all German dishes during September and October.
ROAST PORK AND POTATOES
Olive Joe’s
Roasted meats are king at Oktoberfest, and among them, pork reigns supreme. Pork is the No. 1 meat consumed in Germany, and there are countless pork dishes to choose from. Olive Joe’s keeps it simple with a roast loin; the result is succulent and tender, with just a hint of smoke. It’s served on toast with brown gravy and mashed potatoes. Direct, hearty, satisfying. $10.
HONEY MUSTARD BURGER
Donatelli’s
This may be an Italian joint, but there is German inflection in evidence, particularly in the honey-mustard burger. It’s a half-pound of good ground beef, cooked to order and topped with an oh-so-Germanic combination of shaved ham and honey mustard. Melted Swiss cheese seals the deal on this sweet, tangy and smoky delight. $10.99.
WILD RICE AND ASIAGO BRATWURST
Kowalski’s Market
Get a little Germany by way of Minnesota with Kowalski’s wild rice and Asiago bratwurst. The sausages are made in-house; this one is smoked, uncured and studded with state pride, i.e., local wild rice. The result is pleasingly chewy and nutty; asiago, a sharp sheep’s milk cheese, adds a bit of umami. Take some home to simply grill or fry. $6.99 a pound.
BRATWURST
The Meet Market
Brought to you by the fine folks of Acqua, this delicatessen and butchery carries top-notch meat. Wikipedia says there are more than 1,500 kinds of sausages in Germany; we may be most familiar with bratwurst, here served with chopped onion, tangy sauerkraut and sharp, rubbly stone-ground mustard. There are only two small tables here, so stop in early, or opt to take the yummy bratwursts to go and eat wherever you choose. $6.43.
GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE
Keys Café and Bakery
Finish off your gustatory experience with a piece of German chocolate cake. (OK, the cake might not exactly be of Germanic descent, but close enough for us.) At Keys, your one-stop shop for all things decadent and dazzling, this layered chocolate beauty is moist and delicious. The sweet German chocolate flavor is indeed the star, but the creamy frosting, kissed with coconut and pecans, takes it over the top. 10-inch cake $32.
